demur

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English

Etymology

From Middle English demuren, from Anglo-Norman demorer (French demeurer), from Vulgar Latin demoro, Latin demorari (“to tarry”), from de- + morari (“to delay”).[1]

See alternative etymology in the Anglo-Norman ancestor.

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. enPR: dĭmûrʹ, IPA(key): /dɪˈmɜː/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GenAm" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. enPR: dĭmûrʹ, IPA(key): /dɪˈmɝ/
  • Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)
Distinguish from pronunciation of demure
  • Audio (UK):(file)

Verb

demur (third-person singular simple present demurs, present participle demurring, simple past and past participle demurred)

  1. (intransitive, obsolete) To linger; to stay; to tarry
  2. (intransitive) To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
    • 1630, John Hayward, The Life and Raigne of King Edward the Sixth
      Vpon this rubbe the English Embassadors thought fit to demurre
  3. (intransitive) To scruple or object; to take exception; to oppose; to balk
    I demur to that statement.
    The personnel demurred at the management's new scheme.
  4. (intransitive, law) To interpose a demurrer.
  5. (transitive, obsolete) To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC:
      The latter I demur, for in their looks / Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears.
  6. (transitive, obsolete) To cause delay to; to put off
    • 1635, Fra[ncis] Quarles, “Canto XI. Cant[icles] III. II.”, in Emblemes, London: […] G[eorge] M[iller] and sold at at Iohn Marriots shope […], →OCLC, book IV, stanza 4, page 226:
      I ask'd the Lavvyer; He demands a Fee, / And then demurres me vvith a vaine delay: […]

Translations

Noun

demur (plural demurs)

  1. Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.
    • 1735 January 13 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1734), [Alexander] Pope, An Epistle from Mr. Pope, to Dr. Arbuthnot, London: […] J[ohn] Wright for Lawton Gilliver […], →OCLC:
      All my demurs but double his attacks; At last he whispers, “Do; and we go snacks.”
    • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 132:
      Most geologists today would accept such evidence without demur, but it was still ‘fringe’ science when du Toit was publishing.

Translations

References

  1. ^ “demur” Webster's dictionary

Anagrams

Latin

Verb

(deprecated template usage) dēmur

  1. first-person plural present passive subjunctive of dō

Middle English

Adjective

demur

  1. Alternative form of demure (“demure”)
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